The NCAA is officially expanding both the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments to 76 teams, beginning next season. The announcement came yesterday after the final round of committee approvals, marking the third expansion since 2000. The expansion has been driven largely by power conferences pushing for more at?large bids, but not everyone is celebrating. Analysts note the larger field risks watering down the early rounds. The Athletic pointed out that, under a 76?team format this year, even teams barely above .500—like Auburn—would have made the cut. Still, the move appears locked in, and March Madness is about to get even bigger.